Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced it will open a new Taipei hotel in 2019. Taiwanese real estate developer Huang Hsiang Construction Corporation will build and own the hotel. Fujita Kanko will manage the 248-room hotel under one of its brands.

“Globalization is a new chapter for Fujita Kanko, building on our 60 years of hospitality experience in Japan,” said Akira Segawa, Fujita Kanko’s President and CEO. “We expect our strongest growth from Asian tourists, and entering the Taiwanese market is a top priority for us. It will help build visibility for our brands among Taiwanese. ”

In 2015, approximately 3.7 million Taiwanese visited Japan, about 29 percent more than in 2014. Fujita Kanko intends to take advantage of this growing inbound market and further develop its business in Taiwan. The company opened a Taipei office in 2012 for marketing and business development activities. It also opened Kinsui Taipei by Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, an upscale Japanese restaurant, in January 2016. “We are constantly seeking new business opportunities in Taiwan,” said Segawa.

The Taipei hotel will be conveniently located in the center of Taipei, a minute’s walk from the Zhongxiao Xinsheng MRT Station, two stops from Taipei Station, providing an ideal base for both business and leisure. The hotel will emphasize spacious guest rooms with a separate bathroom and toilet as well as a strong concierge team to thoroughly pamper guests. Hotel amenities will include the choice of a traditional Japanese breakfast at its restaurant.

Fujita Kanko aims to expand its WHG group, which currently consists of five properties under Hotel Gracery and 26 properties under Washington Hotels. The company has set a goal of adding 10 WHG hotels with 3,000 rooms in the next five years. Hotel Gracery Naha opened this month in Okinawa, the southern islands of Japan. Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo will open in July.